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Post Date: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 |
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 In light of recent events leaving many with unforeseen challenges within the last year, one South Florida organization has continued to provide assistance to those in need in a new way. Established in 2011, The BallenIsles Charities Foundation’s goal has always been Making a Difference in the local Palm Beach Gardens community, with its impact largely growing each year. This year an astonishing $800,000 in grants were awarded to 46 nonprofit organizations, totaling over $4.6 million since inception. Discover more about The BallenIsles Charities Foundation and their exciting upcoming plans.
The Foundation’s Mission
The mission of BallenIsles Charities Foundation is to render financial and in-kind support to civic and not-for-profit organizations within Palm Beach County that provide programs and services in the following broad categories – Civic, Health & Human Services, Environment, and Education – designed to assist, encourage, and promote the well-being of the residents and the communities in which they are located. Created in-part by BallenIsles members, the community maintains this mission by aiding even more in need each year—with 2021 being no exception.
A Storied History
Only 10 years ago, the launch of The BallenIsles Charities Foundation underscored a commitment to those civic and tax-exempt organizations that make such a difference, not only to our own residents, but to so many of our neighbors in the surrounding cities, towns and communities within Palm Beach County. Our donors recognized that by working together they could make a significant positive impact providing financial and in-kind support in a broad range of categories.
Through the years The Foundation has been fortunate to attract a growing number of donors and volunteers, demonstrating the touching community within BallenIsles. That has provided the opportunity for Making a Difference in new ways. In 2019 it made its first impact grant and provided the funding for the purchase of a 40-foot refrigerated truck which was acquired by one of our local food pantries. In a typical year, the truck will rescue well over one million pounds of food to be provided to locals experiencing food scarcity.
In 2019, a Community Service Committee was established which promotes increased awareness of, and opportunities for, community service and charity volunteerism within Palm Beach County by members of BallenIsles. In November of 2019, the BallenIsles Charities Foundation spent 3 days at a Habitat for Humanity home site with 125 of our BallenIsles residents, and then returned in December for a gift wrapping for them. Our Community Service Committee organized a Habitat for Humanity Donation Drive too, noting, “Our time and helping hands were a significant adjunct to their efforts. Just as importantly, we each gained personal insight into the issues of providing safe homes to families who are willing to pay for their futures with time, sweat equity and money.”
Making a Difference in 2020-2021
When times looked bleak indeed, as the pandemic raged and people struggled, our community stepped up in an unimaginably big way to extend a helping hand to our neighbors nearby. The Foundation accepted grant requests from amazing local nonprofit organizations that provide essential services, vetted each submission, evaluating the organization, the need served, the amount and realism of the request, and the capacity to deliver. Needless to say, stewardship of the members’ donations is taken very seriously, which made this year so unbelievable!
Typically, when times are hard, fundraising is predictably more challenging-- but that does not hold true at BallenIsles Country Club. With zero physical fundraising events on the docket for the first time in The Foundation’s 10-year existence, the community and corporate sponsors gave at record levels. This year The Foundation has awarded grants of $800,000 to 46 local nonprofit and civic organizations and over $4.6 million over our history. This year’s total includes the funding of a special impact grant to the PBG Police and Fire Rescue Foundation’s Emergency Financial Assistance Fund of $30,000 which helps our first responders and their families. Additionally, during the Summer of 2020 the BallenIsles Charities Foundation, BallenIsles Country Club and the South Florida PGA provided 350 meals per week, for six weeks to healthcare providers working on the front lines of COVID-19 at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center.
As a result of our community’s grand support, there will be a little less hardship for folks nearby, and needed civic, environmental, educational and human services will be made possible that wouldn’t have been otherwise. We cannot imagine what is in store for The Foundation and our blossoming BallenIsles members in the coming year.
With its central location in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, BallenIsles Country Club allows for lovers of music, art, the outdoors, and life to take advantage of the vibrant activities and entertainment available. World-class dining, shopping and culture are just minutes away along the PGA Boulevard corridor, and some of the best beaches in the country are just a few miles to the east.
When residents return home, they appreciate the private sanctuary of one of BallenIsles Country Club’s 33 neighborhoods. A wide variety of single-family homes, townhomes, and condominiums offer a range of choice and style, many with golf and lake views. Four different memberships, the Full Golf Membership, the Sports Membership, the Tennis Membership, and the Social and Fitness Membership, are available. For more information click here or contact Membership Manager, Pam Lawler at 561-775-4763 or [email protected] or download your complimentary brochure today. |
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